At the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitments to further strengthen their defence ties. A wide range of bilateral matters was discussed, including bilateral exercises, training, as well as exchange of views on issues of mutual interests.

The next JDC Meeting is expected to be held in United Kingdom in 2015.

The Oxford Business Group on 24 April 2014 reported the following economic update:
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Economic UpdateBrunei Darussalam set to increase oil and gas production

Asia | 24 Apr 2014

Although declining oil production has had an effect on Brunei Darussalam’s recent economic performance, officials insist the reasons for the drop are short term in nature, while the country’s long-term prospects in the sector remain promising. Expansive government plans at home and a cooperation agreement with Timor-Leste abroad should give the sector a welcome fillip as well.

Because Brunei Darussalam is a major energy producer, the hydrocarbons segment has a pronounced impact on the performance of the overall economy. Due to the effects of the drop in oil production and the resulting 7.7% decline in the energy sector in 2013, GDP is estimated to have contracted by 1.4% during the year, following growth of 0.9% in 2012.

US concerned about Brunei's hudud law but won't BOYCOTT Sultan's luxury hotel chain

WASHINGTON - The United States has raised concerns with Brunei about a new penal code introduced by the sultan which would include Islamic sharia law penalties such as stoning to death, US officials said Tuesday.

But the State Department is not following a growing boycott of a luxury hotel chain linked to all-powerful Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

"Our ambassador has relayed our concerns privately to the government of Brunei," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

But she said the department did not "take a position on" the boycott, which has seen a growing list of celebrities spurn the luxury Dorchester Collection.

"It's our understanding that the boycott specifically targets the Dorchester Collection of hotels which issued a statement that it does not tolerate any forms of discriminat…

The Oxford Business Group reported the following on Brunei in their 22nd April 2014 economic update:

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Economic UpdateBrunei Darussalam rolls out a business-friendly budget

Asia | 22 Apr 2014

The 2014/15 budget for Brunei Darussalam, which came into effect on April 1, has a strong business focus, seeking to promote investment, stimulate and support private sector growth, and help provide the tools and skills needed to sustain economic development and diversity.

While the budget ratified by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on March 22 maintains high levels of spending on social welfare and community development programmes, with health, housing and education among the major recipients of funding, there were also a number of provisions aimed at boosting private sector activity.

Business opportunities from development plan

When tabling the draft budget on March 10, Haji Abdul Rahman Haji Ibrahim, the second minister of finance, told the LegCo the focus was enhancing education and training;…